Researchers from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea have introduced a new method to detect hazardous chemicals in the environment. The approach leverages a standard smartphone camera to read color changes on specially designed sensors. The findings are detailed in Advanced Materials, a leading scientific journal.
The core sensor design centers on a metal-organic framework material that shifts color when exposed to different volatile organic compounds. By combining six distinct solvents, the researchers created a palette of color responses across 14 VOCs, enabling a visual map of potential pollutants.
Using a mobile device to analyze these color transitions, the team demonstrated both qualitative and quantitative detection of low concentrations of harmful compounds that typically require costly equipment to identify. The technique offers a practical path to rapid environmental screening in the field.
Experts noted that the sensors maintain performance in high humidity and could be deployed for diverse objectives, such as monitoring environmental pollution, guarding against gas leaks, and enhancing safety in industrial settings.
According to the researchers, the technology holds broad promise. Its applications could range from early gas-leak detection to contributing to disaster prevention and mitigating risks associated with large-scale industrial hazards and security threats.
Earlier efforts introduced highly sensitive detectors for nitrogen dioxide, sometimes described as among the most delicate colorimetric sensors, highlighting a growing trend toward simple, portable methods for air-quality assessment and safety monitoring. This new work adds to that momentum by pushing the boundary of what can be achieved with everyday devices like smartphones.